The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has charged probationary teachers on Grade Levels 08-09 to infuse creative thinking into their teaching methodology.
Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Victoria Mopelola Peregrino, gave the charge while declaring open a two-day capacity-building workshop for probationary teachers held recently at the LCCI Centre, Ikeja.
Mrs. Peregrino, who was represented at the workshop by Mrs. Kafayat Ajenifuja, Commissioner I, representing Ikorodu Division on the Board of the Commission, said the training programme was put together by the State Government to encourage and constantly educate teachers to meet the ever-evolving teaching challenges in the 21st educational system.
While noting that there is a paradigm shift in the teaching techniques and methodology, she advised teachers to be abreast with new techniques as they evolve if they must succeed in their chosen profession.
Mrs. Peregrino disclosed that experts in the educational fields have warned that today’s classroom may be overlooking many of the in-demands 21st-century creative teaching skills that students need to succeed, stressing that without a deeper aptitude for creative skills not covered in the traditional curriculum, students may not be properly and adequately set up to compete in the global economy or even in their various schools and communities.
While appreciating the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Ou, for his strong commitment to transforming education in Lagos State by empowering teachers through various capacity development programmes, she noted that such capacity building workshops are expected to up-scale and enhance proper integration of teachers at all levels.
Other speakers at the opening ceremony including Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, Commissioner II, representing Ikeja Division and Mrs. Adeola Idowu, Commissioner IV, representing Badagry Division on the Board of the Commission, advised the teachers to align creative teaching with the THEMES Plus priorities to address real-world challenges.
Welcoming participants to the training programme, the Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila Adebopo said the training is designed to deepen the creative thinking of young teachers as well as challenge them to consider new ways of teaching using innovative ideas and solutions that will drive the attainment of the objectives of the Education and Technology pillar of the THEMES Plus Agenda of the State Government.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila advised teachers not to be left behind in the new creative world order if they must excel in the teaching profession, noting that there is a shift in the pattern of the methods of teaching, which have changed drastically, especially with the advent of new technology and the digitalization of the education system.
She disclosed that the two-day workshop with its theme “Creative Thinking; The Paradigm In The New Teaching Service Towards Sustaining The THEMES Plus Agenda For Probationary Level Teachers” (Gl 08-09) is centred on creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, digital literacy, cultural competency, emotional intelligence and innovativeness, amongst others, which will make teachers in Lagos State Public Secondary Schools sustain the Education and Technology pillar of the THEMES Plus Agenda of the present administration.
Appreciating the Chief Educator and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro and all the State Executive Council members for their unflinching support to the education family and their commitment to the training and welfare of teachers in Lagos State, she disclosed that continuous training and retraining of teachers in the State is essential to building a productive education system that can compete favourably with any of its kind globally.
Over 370 Teachers drawn from the Six Education Districts of the State as well as from the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) are participating in the capacity building workshop facilitated by season consultant, Intermac Consulting Limited, held at the LCCI Hall.
